The recent rash of tragedies affecting institutions of higher education has come home to New Hampshire. According to authorities, the suicide of a Keene State College student after shooting his roommate is not related in any way to the April 16 Virginia Technical Institute tragedy.
According to the Associated Press, the events leading up to the latest violent incident to affect the higher education community, the suicide of KSC sophomore Michael Dyke, started approximately at 12:30 A.M. on May 4.
Dyke, an Orford, N.H. native, shot his roommate, Jason Lillibridge, in the buttocks while in their off-campus apartment. He eventually turned the gun on himself when police attempted to enter his room later that morning.
In an interview with the Associated Press, police Lt. Peter Thomas said, “This is not an incident that came from, went to, or started with the college. I don’t want anyone thinking we’ve got another VT here.”
This statement, along with a comment from the President of the college, addressed any possible connection between this incident and the graffiti incidents, which referenced the Virginia Tech shootings.
According to the A.P., a toxicology test has been scheduled along with an autopsy of Dyke, to determine if alcohol was involved in the incident.
As of May 4, Lillibridge was in fair condition at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center where he was taken to treat the single gunshot wound that he sustained.